Abell 39 was discovered by north American
astronomer George Abell in 1966. Its outer halo spans over five light
years and it is the result material ejected from a "dying sun like star" as the
star runs out of fuel. What makes this object peculiar is the perfect
round shaped and spherical outer halo. A good target from many
astrophotographers...unfortunately for the southern enthusiasts Abell 39 is
rather low, just 28 degrees above the horizon when is crossing the meridian.

Also in the year 1966 George Abell arranged
a list of 86 planetary nebulas, which he had discovered on the photographic
plates of the large 48" Schmidt Telescope on Mount Palomar